Harry Mann Corvettes

[John R.]

I have seen a Harry Mann corvette that has a black substance (appears to be brushed) all over the bottom of the car. Before anyone make some assumptions about it covering up damage, etc.....The car is a no hit car and has not been spliced together. So, I am looking for someone who may have knowledge about Harry Mann's dealer options? Is this something common with cars delivered from this dealer? Or, is this just a "bubba" application! Car is a midyear.

My gut tells me to remove it, but do not want to if this is something unique to Harry Mann. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

I have seen a Harry Mann corvette that has a black substance (appears to be brushed) all over the bottom of the car. Before anyone make some assumptions about it covering up damage, etc.....The car is a no hit car and has not been spliced together. So, I am looking for someone who may have knowledge about Harry Mann's dealer options? Is this something common with cars delivered from this dealer? Or, is this just a "bubba" application! Car is a midyear.

My gut tells me to remove it, but do not want to if this is something unique to Harry Mann. Thanks.

John-------

Harry Mann Chevrolet was a dealer in Los Angeles, CA. I have no direct knowledge of what they did as "dealer installed options". However, very few, if any, California dealers routinely applied undercoat, especially back in the 60's. Most folks in California didn't even know what undercoat was (unless they came from Mid Western or Eastern states).

[Jerry W.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

I bought a new 62 vette ( Illinois ) and my Dad urged me to have it dealer undercoated...which i DIDN'T...I also requested that they NOT add any dealer placks or bumper decals which was common at the time.

[Dan H.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Owned a 1963 Coupe in the 80s in San Diego, bought it from original owner, unhit etc. The whole bottom was under coated, rock hard. Never removed it, too tough.

[Mike M.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Any Pics of what your are talking about??

[Jerry W.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Mike..It's a spray-on material similar to Truck Bed Coating except it's sprayed on the underside of the car.

[Loren L.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

John, Harry Mann has been closed a long time now. Your best bet may be to contact the SoCal NCRS Chapter newsletter and ask to place a story or a classified ad seeking someone who had direct contact with a Harry Mann employee involved or with a SoCal Chapter member who's already gone through it.

[Joe L.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

I have seen a Harry Mann corvette that has a black substance (appears to be brushed) all over the bottom of the car. Before anyone make some assumptions about it covering up damage, etc.....The car is a no hit car and has not been spliced together. So, I am looking for someone who may have knowledge about Harry Mann's dealer options? Is this something common with cars delivered from this dealer? Or, is this just a "bubba" application! Car is a midyear.

My gut tells me to remove it, but do not want to if this is something unique to Harry Mann. Thanks.

John------


I'm curious myself if this was done at Harry Mann Chevrolet. Although I highly doubt it, it's not beyond the realm of possibility. One possibility is that the original owner REQUESTED it be done or had it done after delivery. An original owner that was a California "transplant" from an eastern state might have thought it was important.

While it is a curiosity, regardless of where it was done it's not "as delivered from the factory" so it would not be considered original to the car.

[Mike M.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Original poster states its brushed on not sprayed on!!
Jerry did you see this first hand or just thinking I'm not sure what under coating is???????
I would like too see what the coating is and how the coating is applied so I may help figure out what it is!!!
Again any pics???

As I have learned with owning several unrestored vette, its best to do as much research, ask as many stupid questions to the correct people before you remove something that can never be reapplied or reinstalled!!!

[Don H.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

had breakfast this morning with a friend who was friends with the last owner of HM. He bought his 60 fuelie new there, and still has it. And, he has a shrine to HM Chev Co in his garage with a ton of memorabilia from there, including the transom window that bears the Crenshaw Ave address that hung over the front door, and the lighted neon clock that hung over the parts counter. He was in regular contact with his friends who ran the business until the place closed. I asked him about this thread question, and he laughed. I think his words were not a chance in hell this was done to HM vettes routinely. Of course if a customer wanted something like this done they would gladly do it and charge through the nose for it. So,
I think you can remove that undercoating and not be concerned about harming the originality of your car.

[Dan H.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

The 63 I had was from Courtesy Chevrolet in San Diego. There was an extra charge for the under coating from the Dealer.

[John R.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Dan, that is very interesting. So it may or may not have been something the dealer applied. I saw a post from a while back on this board that talked about an 64 FI in a magazine. It was being compared to a Cobra. Have to look for it again. Apparently the 64 FI was from Harry Mann and appears to have black stuff on the bottom, but not to the extent as I have seen on this midyear. I will post some photos. Hopefully over the weekend when I am not working at the real job! Thanks to all that have replied.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Here is Harry Mann Chevrolet in 1952.

[John R.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

Here is the old post that refers to black stuff all over chassis. See #12 and 13.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...rry+mann+black

First time I have posted a link, so not sure it will work. If not, search - Harry Mann Cobra - and you will find it.

[Joe R.]

Re: Harry Mann Corvettes

If only Mike Pillsbury were still with us, he could tell the whole story in detail of Harry Mann Corvettes. I miss that old friend.
RIP Mike. Threads like this remind me of the old times at Cypress Gardens.

JR